A 12-storey mixed-use building has been approved to be built within the Highpoint Major Activity Centre

PLANS for a 12-storey residential complex with more than 200 dwellings near Highpoint shopping centre in Melbourne’s west have been given the green light.

PLANS for a 12-storey residential complex with more than 250 dwellings within the Highpoint Major Activity Centre have been given the green light.

The $80 million development was approved by Maribyrnong councillors at the end of March.

The complex is the first application lodged for the area since the land was rezoned into a mixed-use setting.

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However, a leading real estate agent has questioned the need for the development.

John Verduci, from Footscray real estate agent Trimson Partners, said inner-western suburbs were suffering from an overkill of apartments.

“I think we are starting to get to a saturation point, there are too many of these things going up and in the end it is the buyer that loses money in the long run,” Mr Verduci said.

“In the last couple of years I haven’t come across one that’s made money or broken even.”

Maribyrnong Council acting planning services director Matt Slavin said support was given to the development as it involved a number of lots being consolidated and was of high quality, setting the bar for future developments within the Highpoint Activity Centre.

Developer Hengmao Australia, with Elenberg Fraser, is set to bring the H-shaped design at 19-21 White St to life.

It will house 268 apartments when complete. Two large-scale retail tenancies at ground level were included in the proposal.

The development will also include space for 140 bicycles and 363 car spaces.

The development received six objections about traffic and parking, overdevelopment of the site, and noise impacts on adjoining properties during construction.